China frees Australian journo jailed for 3 years

Australian journalist Cheng Lei was deported from China yesterday after more than three years in detention on espionage charges widely seen as politically motivated.

Cheng, a former anchor for Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, had been held since August 2020.

The mother of two had been a familiar face on the state broadcaster's English-language channel, conducting interviews with noted CEOs from around the world.

She was only formally arrested months after disappearing, and in an opaque case was eventually charged with "supplying state secrets overseas".

"Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, hailing her return home as news that "will be warmly welcomed by all Australians".